Luminaries Illuminated: Syr Richard de Montbrai

My name is Richard de Montbrai. I am an English knight of Anglo-Norman ancestry born in the year of our Lord1325 during the reign of Edward II. My father, Thomas, was a knight and small landholder in service to the Earl of Nottingham. My mother, Alice Meadows, was the only child of a modestly well-to-do wine merchant from Cornwall.

I received my training as a page and squire in the houisehold of Eustace of Hainault with whom my father had seen service in the ongoing disputes with France. I served as a squire in the Crecy campaign led by King Edward III of England and was knighted by His Majesty shortly thereafter. During my time in Normandy and the Low Countries, I was able to make contacts that allowed me to expand the trading business left to my mother. The lucrative wine trade between Guyenne, Normandy and England is now my primary source of income. Because of my efforts in support of the Crown, I have added 3 cogs/kraaks (merchant ships) to my company that allow me to do my own shipping – wine to England and wool and men-at-arms to France. My ships have been granted the privilege of displaying the Royal banner . This allows me to claim better service from port authorities and lower tariffs.

My martial career includes service at Crecy and Poitiers under the Prince of Wales. Ransoms collected on those battlefields have also allowed me to expand my business activities and buy land in Gravesend on which the fortified manor-house in which I live was constructed. Living at Gravesend allows me to have better control on my shipping headed to the wharves of London. During the Peasent Revolt my manor was a staging ground for forces loyal to young Richard II. I was an eager participant in the harrying of the peasant forces after their leader was slain.

I married Lady Margaret van Arteveldt from Bruges and her contacts with the textile industry increased the market for my wool shipments. She was lost to me in a storm in the Channel.

I am childless and live with my servants and a complement of guards at Buckhouse Manor. Here I have a small library and I have taken to the arts of calligraphy and illumination. Yet one more thing I owe to Count Eustace who insisted that his pages and squires learn both their letters and figures. Truly, His Excellency was a man ahead of his time who saw the value of being able to look closely over the shoulders of one’s clerks.

SCA History

I was the founding Seneschal of Falcon Cree. I was also the first Champion of Nottinghill Coill (before the advent of Rapier). I was awarded my AoA by Prince Brytor, the last Prince of the Principality of Atlantia. I am proud to be the second knight elevated from Southern Atlantia and in recognition of that I still use the Syr spelling of my honorific. I served a term as Baron of Nottinghill and always hold a warm place in my heart for my southern friends. I served as the captain for the combined Baronial force facing Storvik at Black Diamond and I’m proud to say we gave the Diamond it’s first victory in that series of events. I have Duke Olaf to thank for that wonderful opportunity. I also was co-founder of the Kingdom College of Oak Clyffe . I served Hidden Mountain as it’s warlord against Nottinghill in the second Southern Interbaronial War and helped them to victory. It was less than a year later that I became a Baron of Nottinghill Coill. I was the third principal of the Coill’s Tripaliaire (“The Tortured ones”) which later became the Gordian Knot. I was squired to Sir Jason of Andover, the first Knight made south of the Virginia border and became the first of his squires to be elevated to the Chivalry. I was knighted by Duke Olaf just under 5 years after joining the SCA.

I now reside in the Barony of Storvik (God help me I’m in yankee land!) where I spend my SCA time painting banners which I give away (now well over 100).I’ve also done various other art projects including C&I and have created over 500 scrolls for the Baronies and Atlantia. I also host the yearly National Zoo Demo (3 years running) and have autocrated and co-autocrated well over a dozen events.

It has been my great pleasure to serve the people of Atlantia

Current awards – KSCA, CP, CSS,SN, KAE, CGN, CCC, CSN, CCM, CSK, CPC, FM, SH, ME, DCW, DCC, CoO, CO

Hickory Top party

When: Saturday, July 10th from 8:00 am until we don't feel like doing it any more.

What: Heavy fighting, rapier fighting, grilling out, and riding our horses. (no archery this time, sorry!) We will be doing jousting this time, as well as the other cavalry games. Trail riding available. Cross country course available for extra charge. Swimming is encouraged. Bring your own pool.

Where: Hickory Top Stable, 725 Piney Branch Road, Eastover, SC 29044

To get to Hickory Top Farms:Take your best route to I-77 and Garner's Ferry Road. Turn towards Sumter (away from Columbia) and drive about 10 miles to Piney Branch Road (on the left). A small restaurant called Margaret's is on the left corner. Hickory Top is about 1/2 mile on the right side. There will not be any signs marking anything except the sign at Hickory Top. Drive to the end of the dirt road for parking.

Garb is very optional, and probably not such a Good Idea. Site is responsibly wet. Leashed dogs welcome (please clean up after your pet).

Cost: $5.00 per person, 16 and over. $25.00 per night stall rent, includes ring fee, trail riding and camping (reservations required). $10.00 ring fee for horses brought in for the day. Includes trail riding. Cross country course offered at an extra fee. Reservations required for cross country course, please.

Current Coggins papers required for horses.

Contact: Baroness Beatrice von Staufen Jessica Rose 803-646-6441 baronessbeatrice@hotmail.com

Atlantian Clothier's Guild (southern region)

The Atlantian Clothier's Guild is a group that meets together to learn about and make reproduction clothing from the time periods of 500 A.D. to 1,600 A.D. in western Europe. No experience is necessary to participate and instruction in sewing is offered. Each meeting has a different theme which is decided upon by the participants. Membership is not necessary. The southern region has a home base at the Church of the Cross in Columbia, South Carolina where lectures, demonstrations, teaching and workshops are held.

Meetings are held approximately once a month although there is no set schedule.

For information, please contact: Baroness Beatrice von Staufen (Jessica Rose) 803-646-6441 baronessbeatrice@hotmail.com

Bardic Arts: Songwriting by Dulcinaya the 'Gypcian

A Pace-Egging Song
Oyez, gentle folk in attendance,
We prithee, all gathered attend!
We may be a prize or a pennance,
But we hope your time here is well-spent.

We’ve stories of soldiers and lovers,
And knights being eaten by crows
Jolly drunkards and wild Irish rovers
And wakes where the guests come to blows.

We are footsore and road-weary pilgrims
We are hungry but still of good cheer,
And if we can but drive out your doldrums
You might pay us with silver or beer.

Our tales may be truth or be rumor,
But we’ve kept you fine folks waiting long
So, now to repay your kind humor,
These fine drums will lead into our song.

Events in the Barony

2/25-27/2011: Nottinghill Coill Baronial Birthday
Nottinghill Coill, Camp Sandy Ridge,
Ebenezer Rd, Bennetsville, SC
Contact Lady Milicent: Hagatha819[AT]aol.com